How to Create Image-based Quizzes on Formative

Last week I shared a post about some of my favorite features that the folks at Formative are working on for the fall. While we wait for those features to roll-out, take a look at one of my favorite current features in Formative. That feature is the option to create interactive, image-based quizzes. Watch my video embedded below to learn how to create image-based quizzes on Formative.

CK-12 Concept Maps Show Kids Connections Between Math and Science

The CK-12 Foundation recently released a new feature that should help students see the connections between topics in science and mathematics. CK-12 concepts maps are interactive webs of related math and science terms. Clicking on the "details" tab below a term in the web will lead students to definitions and explanations, to interactive concept simulations, and to interactive review exercises.

To find a concept map on CK-12 simply go to the CK-12 Concept Map page and enter a science or mathematics topic into the search box. You will then see a color-coded web of terms. Terms appearing in green will lead students to science resources. Terms appearing in blue will lead students to mathematics resources.

Applications for Education
CK-12 Concept Maps could be a good resource for teachers who are looking for ideas when developing lessons that incorporate mathematics and science around one topic. For example, the inertia concept map provided me with resources that could be used to teach Newton's first law as well as resources that could be used to teach the calculation of acceleration.

On the topic of CK-12 resources, take a look at their free online whiteboard tool called Stoodle.

The History Project - Like Storycorps With Timelines

The History Project is a new multimedia timeline tool funded in part by The New York Times. Larry Ferlazzo tipped me off to The History Project and I gave it a try this afternoon.

The History Project lets you upload your own pictures or import pictures from social networks to add to your timeline. Each event on your timeline can include multiple pictures. After adding a picture to a timeline event you can record audio to add to that event. You also have the option to upload an existing audio recording. Of course, like any good time tool, The History Project lets you write in notes, dates, and locations. When you write in a location a Google Map of that location is added to your timeline event.

Applications for Education
The History Project is designed for telling personal stories which is why I titled the post "like Storycorps with timelines." The History Project's editing interface is rather straight-forward and you could easily have middle school and high school students using it in a short amount of time.

The History Project could be a fantastic tool for students to use to record and share stories about themselves, about their families, and about community elders. Timelines created on The History Project are private unless you choose to publish them for the world to see.

Wizer.me Adds Folders for Sharing Resources With Colleagues

Wizer is a neat tool for creating a variety of interactive assignments including writing assignments, multiple choice quizzes, and labeling assignments. You can distribute your Wizer activities to your students through Google Classroom or through the use of a link and pin system. Back in February I published a video about how to use Wizer.

This week Wizer added a feature that teachers have frequently requested. That feature is the option to share resources in folders. To create a shared folder first sign into your Wizer account then select the "new folder" button. Select a few resources or activities to add to your new folder. When you're ready to share your folder just click "add members" and enter the email addresses of your colleagues.

Watch the video embedded below to learn more about creating activities in Wizer.

Must Read Educational Sites for Summer

This is a guest post from Jennifer Carey (@TeacherJenCarey) of EdTechTeacher - an advertiser on this site.

There are a lot of resources on the web for educators, and it can be challenging to sort through all of that information to find those hidden gems. Here are a few of the websites and blogs that I recommend to educators looking to get started. Some are on the general topic of education while others focus on specific themes or topics. Check out this list and add your own in the comments below!

General Education Topics

Edutopia - Edutopia was founded by the George Lucas Education Foundation to provide a place to share evidence-based practices and programs that help students learn. They cover topics from professional development to digital citizenship initiatives.

EdWeek - Education Week covers topics in education around the country, including public, charter, and independent schools. They report on current events, publish articles, and touch on pedagogical practice. Some parts of EdWeek are free but note that others are paid.

Huffington Post Education - The Huffington Post Education section includes a curated list of stories and blog posts on education. They may cover school policies, digital equity, or teacher pay disparities. This is a great resource for educators who want to keep the pulse of topics in education.

NPR Education - National Public Radio reports on education topics at the national, state, and local level. Always a great resource, NPR reports on topics such as chronic absenteeism or violence in schools.

MindShift KQED - MindShift focuses on innovative practices in teaching and learning. They cover both theory and practice in a way that is both academically sophisticated and accessible in short bites.

Educational Technology

Free Technology for Teachers - Of course, read this blog! Richard posts several times a day, so you will get something new practically every time you visit his site.

EdTechTeacher Blog - The EdTechTeacher instructors bring a combination of classroom experience, edtech expertise, and research to their workshops and their blog. Each week, one of the instructors offers technical advice, pedagogical ideas, or research-based evidence for you to take back into your classroom. From iPads and Chromebooks to Design Thinking and PBL, they regularly share new content.

Hybrid Pedagogy - Hybrid Pedagogy is an online, peer-reviewed journal that delves into educational technology. This is a truly academic resource for the new hybrid learning landscape.

Teacher Blogs and Websites

Jose Vilson - Jose Vilson writes from the perspective of being a teacher of color at a school with underprivileged children of color. He covers important topics in public education today - educational access, poverty, social justice, and more.

Cool Cat Teacher - Vicki Davis has been blogging for years about her experiences in the classroom. She is a great resource to learn more about educational practice, but even more valuable is her perspective on being in the classroom: bonding with students, burnout, struggles with parents, or just emotional and physical exhaustion.

Luis Perez - Luis Perez focuses on making education more accessible for those with learning differences. He is a great resource for special education teachers.

Meghan Zigmond - Meghan is an elementary school teacher whose blog primarily focuses on iPads, but there are a lot of tools that you can employ with different tools.

This is a very short list of the resources I use on a regular basis. There are many others out there. I encourage you to explore educational topics online, share them (on your own blog or via twitter), and post your suggestions in the comments below!